Investigation of hepatoprotective effect of some algae species on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate hepatoprotective effect of some algae species such as Spirulina platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Laminaria japonica, Sargassum sp. on experimental acute hepatotoxicity model that induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Algaes at a dose of 200 mg/kg and Silymarin at a dose of 25 mg/kg were orally administered for 7 days followed by CCl4 at a single dose (0.5 ml/kg), at the 8th day to cause experimental acute hepatotoxicity. Levels of biochemical (AST, ALT etc.), lipid peroxidation (MDA), antioxidant (GSH, CAT, GPx) parameters and histopathological examination were carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of algae. In Sp group ALT and ALP levels were significantly decreased compared with CCl4 (p < .05). Histological liver structures of Sp group were similar to the control group. MDA, GPx and CAT levels of Sp and La groups were significantly different compared with CCl4 (p < .05). Based on these results, algae species able to minimise the toxic effects of CCl4 and especially S. platensis could be used in the purpose of protection against chemical-induced hepatotoxicity.

Inhibition by Egb761 of the effect of cellphone radiation on the male reproductive system.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of Egb761 on testicular tissues and semen parameters in rats exposed to cellphone waves. BACKGROUND: EGb761 has antioxidant properties as a free-radical scavenger. Cellphone electromagnetic radiation (EMR) induces oxidative stress in cells. METHODS: Twenty-one Wistar albino male adult rats were divided into three groups (control, experimental, treatment), including seven rats in each. The experimental and treatment groups were exposed to cellphone EMR (0.96 W/kg) for six weeks (4 hrs/day). Egb761 (100 mg/kg/day) was also added to the treatment. Testes, epididymal semen and blood plasma were used for analysis. RESULTS: Exposure to cellular phone radiation resulted in a significant impairment in testicular morphometry and histological structure, reduction of total and motile sperm numbers and plasma testosterone level. Egb761 administration improved testicular damage and led to a marked increase in plasma testosterone levels and total and motile sperm numbers. CONCLUSION: Male reproductive system is susceptible to cellphone radiation. Cellphone waves induce toxic effects in testicular tissues, impair spermatogenesis and cause an imbalance in testosterone hormone levels. Egb761 ameliorated these toxic effects by reversing testicular tissue damage, restoring normal spermatogenesis and hormone levels. This suggests that Egb761 is a potential therapeutic agent against EMR-induced male reproductive toxicity (Tab. 3, Fig. 6, Ref. 45).

Cost-effectiveness of a new system in ruling out negative urine cultures on the day of administration.

Urine samples account for a significant part of the workload in clinical microbiology laboratories. However, the culture process is time-consuming and a large proportion is reported as negative. To reduce unnecessary culture procedures and speed up the reporting of negative results, a reliable screening method is needed. For this purpose, urine samples submitted to our clinical microbiology laboratory were simultaneously screened by a flow cytometry method (Sysmex UF-1000i, Japan). During screening, the evaluation of various combinations of leucocytes and bacteria cut-offs demonstrated that cut-offs of 30 and 50/µL, respectively, were the best threshold values to reach a 100% negative predictive value (NPV) with a culture reduction rate of 44.8% in adults and 61.9% in children between the ages of 6 and 17 years. With the culture reduction rates mentioned above, the screening method has provided at least 24% savings in expenditures of the routine clinical microbiology laboratory. Since we did not reach such an NPV with any combinations of screening parameters in children younger than 5 years of age, we recommend cultivation of all urine samples in those patients without a screening step. In conclusion, Sysmex UF-1000i as a screening method was capable of improving the efficiency of the routine microbiology laboratory by providing negative results in a few minutes in children greater than 6 years of age and in adults.

Effect of radiotherapy on psychiatric disorder in patients with head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on psychiatric disorder in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 51 patients with head and neck cancer. The diagnosis of psychiatric disorder was made by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria. Severity of psychopathology was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). RESULTS: Although HAM-D score increased after RT (from 4 [0-26] to 7 [0-24]), this increase was not significant (P = 0.108). Fourteen (27.5%) of 51 patients had a psychiatric disorder before RT treatment; adjustment disorder in 6, depression in 4, sleep disorder in 3, anxiety disorder in 1 patient. On the other hand, 16 (31.4%) of 51 patients had a psychiatric disorder after RT treatment; adjustment disorder in 6, depression in 5, sleep disorder in 4, anxiety disorder in 1 patient. There was no significant difference between two periods in terms of the prevalence of psychiatric disorder (P = 0.721). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of psychiatric disorder was high in patients with head and neck cancer even before RT. Similarly, its high rate continued after RT. However, there is no significant effect of RT on development of psychiatric disorder.

The Effects of Antidepressants on Neuropeptide Y in Patients with Depression and Anxiety.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in patients with anxiety and depression and also the effects of antidepressants on this neuropeptide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 outpatients who presented with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 32 healthy controls. The patients received antidepressant treatment for 6 months. Serum levels of neuropeptide Y were measured before treatment in 40 patients, after 8 weeks of treatment in 32 patients, after 6 months in 10 patients, and once in the controls. RESULTS: Serum NPY levels were lower in the patients than in the controls. NPY levels were increased and normalized by antidepressant treatment. While there was no change in NPY levels in the patients using fluoxetine and sertraline for 8 weeks, an increase was found in patients using escitalopram and venlafaxine. Serum NPY levels were increased by treatment for 8 weeks in the patients with depression, but not in the patients with anxiety. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that NPY may be related to pathophysiology in depression and anxiety, and antidepressants influence NPY levels.

Expression of Glutamate Transporters in Alcohol Withdrawal.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to investigate the expression of glutamate transporters during withdrawal in the alcohol-dependent patients. METHOD: The study consisted of 20 male inpatient alcoholics during the withdrawal period and 20 healthy controls. Expressions of glutamate transporters, namely the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) and EAAT3, in white blood cells were measured with the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method in early (first day) and late (28(th) day) withdrawal in alcoholic patients and once in the controls. RESULTS: EAAT2 and EAAT3 expressions in the patients during both early and late withdrawal were higher than those of the controls. There was no difference in the EAAT2 and EAAT3 levels of the patients between early and late abstinence. DISCUSSION: The study revealed an upregulation of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 during early and late withdrawal in patients with alcohol withdrawal.

Effects of modafinil on pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsive epilepsy.

Modafinil, is a wake-promoting drug approved by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for narcolepsy and sleep-apnoe syndrome. Although the mechanism underlying its arousal action remains elusive, it is known to increase glutamatergic, histaminergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic transmission and decrease GABA release in different regions of the brain, which are all known to be involved in pathophysiology of epilepsy. In the present study, the effects of modafinil on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced convulsive epilepsy were investigated in rats. Five experimental groups were formed for this purpose and each group was administered five different doses of modafinil (1, 2, 4, 45, 180 mg/kg, i.p) for seven days. All groups were administered PTZ (80 mg/kg, i.p) 2 hours after the final dose and the epileptic seizure activity was evaluated. According to the results; we detected that modafinil delayed the onset of the first myoclonic jerk and decreased the total major seizure period between 2-180 mg/kg doses and did not affect the major seizure onset period at any of the doses administrated. These results imply that modafinil exerts a dose dependent antiepileptic effect on PTZ induced convulsive epilepsy in rats (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref, 42).

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to oral naltrexone in alcoholics during early withdrawal.

INTRODUCTION: It is thought that naltrexone may play a significant role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress. We investigated the HPA axis response following single-dose oral naltrexone administration in the early phase of alcohol withdrawal. METHODS: Cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) responses to naltrexone were measured in alcohol-dependent males (n=23) and in healthy males (n=20). Blood samples were collected for cortisol and ACTH measurements before administering (0 min) 50 mg naltrexone at 08.00 in the morning, and at 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after administering naltrexone. RESULTS: Naltrexone administration resulted in a significant ACTH response in the patients while cortisol and ACTH responses were found to be significant in the controls. Cortisol response was not large enough to reach significance in the patients. ACTH level changes as a response to naltrexone in the patients were lower than that in the controls. DISCUSSION: The study revealed blunted cortisol and attenuated ACTH responses to naltrexone in early alcohol withdrawal. This study may have shown impairment in adrenal and pituitary levels during alcohol withdrawal.

The protective effect of L-carnitine against hippocampal damage due to experimental formaldehyde intoxication in rats.

We investigated the protective effects of L-carnitine on hippocampus tissue damage in rats during experimental formaldehyde (FA) intoxication. Male Wistar albino rats were assigned into four groups: (1) control (C), (2) formaldehyde (FA), (3) formaldehyde + 0.5 g/kg of L-carnitine (FA + 0.5 LC) (4) formaldehyde + 1 g/kg L-carnitine (FA + 1 LC). At the end of the 14 day trial period, animals were sacrificed by decapitation under anesthesia. The hippocampus tissue samples were extracted to measure MDA, GSH and SOD activity. Neuronal degeneration was assessed based on histopathological (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemical (anti-ubiquitin) examination. To detect oxidative stress, specimens were reacted with anti-Cu/Zn-SOD antibody. After administering L-carnitine with FA to the animals, the activities of SOD and GSH increased, but the levels of MDA decreased in hippocampus tissue. Neuronal degeneration was observed in the FA group. L-carnitine administration reduced neuronal degeneration and histological structure was similar to controls. After FA application, degenerated hippocampus neurons were stained with anti-ubiquitin and Cu/Zn-SOD antibodies; weakly positive staining was observed in L- carnitine-treated groups. L-carnitine may be useful for preventing oxidative damage in the hippocampus tissue due to formaldehyde intoxication.

Use of intramedullary fully-threaded pins in the fixation of feline and canine humeral, femoral and tibial fractures.

Intramedullary fully-threaded pins were manufactured from an alloy of titanium, aluminium and vanadium in a fully-threaded style. Pins were produced in various diameters, ranging from 4 mm to 11 mm. Pin lengths varied from 5 cm to 22 cm. The proximal end of the pins was designed to fit into a hexagonal screwdriver, while the distal end was slightly tapered to allow for ease of entry into cancellous bone. Treatment using the fully-threaded intra- medullary pin was carried out in a total of 175 fractures of the humerus, femur, and tibia in 95 cats (bilateral femur in 1 case) and 77 dogs (bilateral femur in 2 cases). Radiographic follow-up for the cases was performed at monthly intervals. Non-union developed in one dog with a femoral fracture in which cerclage wire had also been used. Delayed healing and lameness were observed in two other dogs. Healing with excessive callus formation was observed in 16 dogs. However, there were not any problems noted in these dogs in regards to limb usage. Clinical and radiological results obtained for the remaining cases were found to be very good. Normal, complete fracture healing occurred between four to 14 weeks in dogs, and between four to 12 weeks in cats. Pins were removed upon observation of satisfactory functional and radiographic recovery. Pins could not be removed from 26 cats and 21 dogs as the owners had declined pin removal, or because the owners were lost to follow-up.

Immunohistochemical characterization of perineal melanoma in Kilis goats.

We describe the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of the malignant melanomas in the perineal regions of Kilis goats from Sanliurfa province in Turkey. We studied 13 female Kilis goats between 3 and 8 years old that were brought to Harran University Veterinary School, Department of Surgery, between 2002 and 2010. By macroscopic examination, the masses were determined to have elastic consistency, dark brown-black color, necrotic surfaces and ulceration. Microscopically, pleomorphic cells were observed under the basal layer and these advanced toward the dermis. These cells were polyhedral, round or spindle-shaped, anaplastic, and their cytoplasm contained varying amounts of dark brown-black pigments. Immunohistochemical staining was obtained with anti-melan A, vimentin and S100 antibodies.

Protective effect of L-carnitine on experimental lead toxicity in rats: a clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

Female Wistar-albino rats were given lead acetate (PbAc) for 60 days to investigate the protective effects of L-carnitine (CA) clinically and histopathologically on PbAc-induced tissue damage. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein for hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HCT), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets (PLT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine. PbAc treatment caused a significant decrease in HB, HCT and RBC, a significant increase in WBC, AST, ALT and creatinine compared to controls. Although administration of CA did not reverse HB and HCT values, it reversed both the decrease in RBC and the increase in WBC, AST, ALT and creatinine. After the experimental period, all rats were weighed, then decapitated for pathological examination. Control rat liver, kidney and brain showed normal histological architecture. Lead-induced nephropathic kidneys; degenerative changes, inflammation and portal edema of the liver; and brain neuropil vacuolation, neuronal vacuolation, satellitosis and neuronophagia were observed in experimental groups. All changes were reduced in the PbAc group treated with CA (PbAc + CA). PbAc caused copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) expression in both the hepatocytes and tubular epithelium of the kidney. PbAc + CA exposure caused moderate Cu/Zn-SOD immunoreactivity. While in the brain sections of the PbAc group the degenerative neurons were stained intensely with anti-ubiquitin antibody, PbAc + CA rats showed moderate staining in neurons with anti-ubiquitin antibody. These results show that CA as a food additive reduced the severity of tissue damage caused by PbAc.

Effects of Cholerella sp. microalgae extract on colonic anastomosis in rats with protein-energy malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: Algae, which are used as supplementary nutrients in various countries, are products rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of algae extracts on the healing of colonic anastomosis in malnourished rats. METHOD: Seventy-two rats were randomized to three groups. Group 1 was fed with standard diet for 15 days, before and after the colonic anastomosis. Groups 2 and 3 were fed with a malnutrition diet for 15 days prior to colonic anastomosis and then with the basic diet for 15 days there after. Group 3 also received an extract of algae derived from Cholerella sp. via oral gavage postoperatively, in addition to the basic diet. Rats were killed on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative day. Blood samples were collected to evaluate prealbumin, transferring and albumin levels. Anastomotic bursting pressures (BPs), histopathology and tissue hydroxyproline levels were evaluated after killing. RESULTS: In group 3, the prealbumin level on the 3rd postoperative day and transferrin and albumin levels on the 7th and 15th postoperative days were significantly increased compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels and anastomotic BPs of group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination of the anastomosis revealed significantly better healing patterns for group 3 than for groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extract derived from Cholerella sp. microalgae has favourable effects on healing of experimental colon anastomoses.

Bilateral pes valgus in an Anatolian Sheepdog.

A 15-month-old, male, Anatolian Sheepdog weighing 45 kg, was admitted with uneven stance in both hindlegs, a condition it had had since the age of six months. Radiographs of both hindlimbs revealed lateral deviation of 26 degrees in the distal metaphysis of the left tibia and 32 degrees in the distal metaphysis of the right tibia. Corrective osteotomy was used to treat the deformity. Both tibias were aligned with the closed wedge osteotomy and a suitably curved plate was placed on both bones. In the assessment prior to the removal of both plates, it was determined that a valgus deformation of 6 degrees was still present. However, this did not affect the gait, nor did it have an abnormal effect on the cosmetic appearance. It was concluded that if corrective osteotomy is performed before any degenerative changes have taken place, the outcome will be successful.

The struggle to develop nursing research in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Little is known internationally about nursing research in Turkey. The development of nursing research would, however, provide a distinctive perspective on health needs and service provision. To understand the development of nursing research in Turkey, the development of nursing research in other countries might be analysed. AIM: To describe the development of nursing research and education in Turkey in a European context. FINDINGS: The evolution of nursing research in Europe is discussed and the importance of setting nursing research priorities described. Different countries in the world are then examined for the development of nursing research and priorities. Finally, the development of nursing education, nursing research and priorities in Turkey are analysed and discussed in the context of the political and social background. CONCLUSION: The development of Turkish nursing research may still be insufficient in relation to the development of nursing research in Europe, but it is following global developments. Over the past years, there has been an increased interest in nursing research and Turkish nurses work hard to produce work for international publication.

Patient expectation and satisfaction with nursing care in Turkey: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is used as an important indicator of care quality and is frequently included in healthcare planning and evaluation. This study presents a review of research on patient expectation and satisfaction with nursing care in Turkey. AIM: To review the national literature on patient expectations and satisfaction with nursing care. METHODS: The researchers reviewed 3,089 articles of which 27 were discussed in detail. Of these 3,089 articles, 1,812 were from all issues of 14 Turkish nursing journals which have been published in the last 50 years, and 1,277 articles were from 24 nursing congress and symposium books. RESULTS: The results of this study are divided into two categories: expectations concerning 'nursing care', and 'satisfaction with nursing care'. The findings show that there exist conceptual and philosophic deficiencies in the approaches to patient satisfaction and that there is a need to use standardized instruments to study and assess patient satisfaction in the future. CONCLUSION: Over the last 20 years, studies of patient expectation and satisfaction with nursing care have been gaining high importance, but it is also noticed that in a national and philosophical approach the studies are not based on clearly defined concepts. Moreover, it has been concluded that there is a need for valid and reliable tools in the evaluation of satisfaction.